Wide viewing angle, homeotropic nematic liquid-crystal display controlled by effective field

The electro-optic properties of a liquid-crystal display associated with a homeotropic to multidomainlike transition for a liquid crystal with a positive dielectric anisotropy have been investigated. The cell plates are prepared in such a way that, in the absence of an electric field, the liquid-crystal alignment is homeotropic. an electric field created by interdigitated electrodes on both substrates causes a director deformation of a multidomain type. The display shows wide viewing angle, excellent color characteristics, and a fast response time. The molecular director configuration, together with the electro-optic characteristics of the device, are discussed in this letter.